A medical professional has outlined the impact on the human body of walking three miles per hour for an entire day.
This analysis coincides with the release of the film adaptation of Stephen King’s novel, “The Long Walk,” hitting cinemas this week.
Directed by Francis Lawrence, known for his work on “The Hunger Games,” the film takes place in a dystopian United States controlled by a totalitarian government.
In this story, 100 teenage boys are chosen each year to participate in a grueling contest where they must maintain a pace of at least three miles per hour for as long as possible. Falling below this speed results in being ‘ticketed’ after three warnings.
In this context, ‘ticketed’ means being mercilessly eliminated by armed guards.
In Stephen King’s original novel, the required pace was four miles per hour. However, even King found this too punishing and adjusted it to three miles per hour for the film adaptation.
Maintaining such a speed for a prolonged period can significantly impact the human body.
Dr. Suzanne Wylie, a GP and medical adviser for IQdoctor, explained the effects in detail, and they are far from reassuring.
“Walking at a steady three miles per hour is a moderate pace for most people and perfectly sustainable for an hour or two,” Dr. Wylie explains.
“However, attempting to maintain this continuously for 24 hours would push the body well beyond safe physiological limits.”
Here’s what you might experience…
The most immediate concern would be staying hydrated.
“Even at a walking pace, the body loses significant amounts of fluid through sweat and respiration, particularly if the environment is warm or humid,” Dr. Wylie explains.
“Without frequent fluid intake and electrolyte replacement, dehydration would quickly set in, leading to dizziness, headaches, impaired concentration, and ultimately collapse if severe.”
Regarding musculoskeletal health, the leg and hip muscles would face extreme stress.
Overuse injuries, such as tendonitis, shin splints, and severe muscle fatigue, are almost certain to occur.
“The hips, knees, and ankles would bear the brunt of the continuous impact, and even well-conditioned athletes would likely develop pain, swelling, and inflammation after many hours,” Dr. Wylie adds.
“Blisters and skin breakdown would also be major limiting factors, as prolonged friction in footwear can lead to open wounds, infection, and significant disability.”
Dr. Wylie points out that one of the most serious complications could be rhabdomyolysis.
This condition occurs when muscle fibers break down due to extreme exertion, releasing proteins like myoglobin into the bloodstream.
“In large amounts, these proteins can overwhelm the kidneys, leading to acute kidney failure, electrolyte disturbances, and potentially life-threatening complications,” Dr. Wylie explains.
“Walking non-stop for 24 hours would place an individual at very high risk of this, especially if dehydration is also present, as the kidneys would be under double strain.”
Other significant risks include hypoglycemia, or low blood sugar, if energy intake does not match the energy used.
Symptoms of low blood sugar can include feeling hungry, dizzy, sweating, and having blurred vision.
Severely low blood sugar could result in seizures or unconsciousness.
Cardiovascular strain is another concern, particularly for individuals with pre-existing heart conditions.
“Sleep deprivation over such a prolonged effort would also cause confusion, poor coordination, and impaired judgment, making injury more likely,” Dr. Wylie adds.
“In short, while the idea makes for a dramatic plot, the reality is that very few people could sustain 3mph for 24 hours without suffering significant, and potentially fatal, consequences.
“The body is simply not designed for such continuous exertion without rest, nutrition, and fluid replacement.”
“The Long Walk” is set to premiere in theaters on Friday, September 12.